China's most powerful political body is demanding that public officials renew their efforts to fight corruption and address other problems that the public complains about most frequently.

The official Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday on the directives from the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. It said President Hu Jintao presided personally over the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday.

Xinhua said the participants called specifically for action on problems at construction projects and regarding the purchase and use of public vehicles. They also called for strict adherence to rules for the selection of public officials.

Corruption has been the source of growing public anger in China as the country undergoes rapid and sometimes barely controlled economic growth. Many of the complaints focus on lavish benefits enjoyed by government officials and bureaucrats, including elaborate banquets and the use of state-owned vehicles.